Category: Speeches

  • Judith Cummins – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Judith Cummins – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Judith Cummins on 2016-06-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make it his policy to place incentives into NHS dentistry contracts to encourage NHS dentists to practice in areas with significantly above average numbers of oral and dental health issues.

    Alistair Burt

    NHS England has a duty to commission services to improve the health of the population and reduce inequalities, and also a statutory duty to commission primary dental services in order to meet local need.

    While some local access difficulties remain overall access continues to increase with the latest access data showing 30 million patients were seen by a dentist for National Health Service care in the 24 month period ending 31 March 2016. This is 1.8 million more patients than May 2010.

    The Government is determined to increase the focus on improving oral health particularly in high needs groups. The Department is working with NHS England to test a new NHS dental contract focusing on improving oral health. 82 prototypes are testing the best balance of incentives to prevent disease and treat disease where present. In addition, NHS England will test new ways to improve children’s oral health in 10 high need areas.

  • Paul Blomfield – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Paul Blomfield – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Paul Blomfield on 2016-09-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the Government plans to publish the pre-consultation report on proposals to introduce fixed recoverable costs for clinical negligence claims.

    Mr Philip Dunne

    The pre-consultation process was a limited and informal exercise to inform the consultation, and therefore the Government does not plan to publish a report. The formal consultation on proposals to introduce fixed recoverable costs for clinical negligence claims is due to commence shortly. It will be followed by a Government response before the introduction of fixed recoverable costs for clinical negligence claims.

  • Luciana Berger – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Luciana Berger – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Luciana Berger on 2015-11-18.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will take steps to ensure that CCGs do not reduce expenditure on mental health budgets to cover deficits in the acute hospital sector.

    Alistair Burt

    NHS England has made a requirement of clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in the planning guidance for 2015/16, The Forward View Into Action: Planning Guidance for 2015/16, that each CCG’s spending on mental health services in 2015/16 should increase in real terms, and grow by at least as much as each CCG’s overall funding allocation increase.

    CCGs are required to submit their spending plans and their annual accounts to NHS England. NHS England reviews spending, including for mental health, through the CCG assurance process.

  • Lord Taylor of Warwick – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Lord Taylor of Warwick – 2015 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Taylor of Warwick on 2015-12-07.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps are being taken to support self-employed people who are confused over their tax status or struggle to understand the tax system.

    Lord O’Neill of Gatley

    HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) provides business with detailed guidance and an online Employment Status Indicator to check whether they are employed or self-employed for tax, National Insurance or VAT purposes. This is available on the gov.uk website.

    HMRC is working with stakeholders to improve the online tool. Customers needing further support can call the Helpline on 03001232326.

  • Lord Tunnicliffe – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Lord Tunnicliffe – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Tunnicliffe on 2016-01-18.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the percentage of clients who had received debt management advice who successfully proceeded to the implementation of their chosen solution in each year since 2010.

    Lord O’Neill of Gatley

    These questions have been passed on to the Money Advice Service (MAS). MAS will reply to directly to the Noble Lord by letter. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  • Bridget Phillipson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Bridget Phillipson – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Bridget Phillipson on 2016-02-04.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what data sets are maintained by NHS Property Services.

    George Freeman

    NHS Property Services currently holds data sets under three categories – Asset Management, Facilities Management (FM) and Finance.

    The Asset Management data set holds information under 27 categories, including the Company’s legal agreements with landlords and tenants, site plans and schedules of occupation. The FM data set holds information under 13 categories, including cost breakdowns by property and basic building and utilities data. The Finance data set holds information under four categories, including a financial register of major assets above £5,000.

    The Company currently has an on-going project to create a central database of all information relating to the portfolio. This is considered key to providing the detailed level of consistent data necessary to manage its spaces optimally.

  • Lord Hoyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    Lord Hoyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Hoyle on 2016-03-01.

    To ask Her Majesty’s Government what are the latest figures for the UK’s balance of trade with the EU.

    Lord Maude of Horsham

    The latest figures for the UK’s balance of trade with the EU are publically available in the ONS Balance of Payments: Quarter 3 (July to Sept) 2015 publication.

    The UK’s balance of trade in goods & services with the EU in 2014 was -£58.8 billion, relating to £230.2 billion in exports and £289.1 billion in imports.

  • Julie Cooper – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    Julie Cooper – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Julie Cooper on 2016-04-08.

    To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many projects in Lancashire have been funded directly under the Northern Powerhouse initiative.

    Greg Hands

    The Northern Powerhouse is creating a single Northern economy that is greater than the sum of its parts. Lancashire will benefit from pan-Northern projects including the Northern Powerhouse Schools Strategy, Shale Wealth Fund, Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund and membership of Transport for the North. Lancashire will directly benefit from investments including a £251.11m growth deal, two Enterprise Zones, a National College for Onshore Oil and Gas at Blackpool, £56,000 for the refurbishment of the Muni theatre in Pendle and numerous transport schemes. Government does not hold information on the specific number of projects in Lancashire.

  • Andrew Gwynne – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Andrew Gwynne – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Gwynne on 2016-05-03.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the next set of National Diet and Nutrition Survey data will be published.

    Jane Ellison

    The next report of the National Diet and Nutrition Survey is being prepared and will be published as an Official Statistic; the publication date will be announced in advance in accordance with the Official Statistics Code of Practice.

  • Keith Vaz – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    Keith Vaz – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Keith Vaz on 2016-06-15.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made by the East Midlands Ambulance Service on reducing patient handover times to local hospitals.

    Ben Gummer

    NHS Improvement advises that East Midlands Ambulance Service is working with hospital trusts, clinical commissioning groups, NHS Improvement and NHS England to reduce handover delays. For example, since November 2015 at Leicester Royal Infirmary 1-2 hour delays have reduced by 67% and delays of more than two hours have been reduced by 76%. This has resulted in the average handover time reducing by 38% from 39 minutes to 24 minutes.